When I began my college education, I had no clue what a liberal arts degree even was. As a graduate and young professional, I am grateful for the reflection throughout my education that has helped me understand the importance of liberal arts. I no longer think of it as some abstract label colleges use to make themselves sound better; rather, I now use this label personally: I am a liberal arts graduate. But what does that mean to me?

For one, my education has contributed to my sense of self. Throughout my time at High Point University, I have become a well-rounded person who is able to enjoy learning about even the most difficult things in order to understand the world around me. I no longer shy away from the concepts that intimidate me, because I have grown into a more confident person. The community emphasized in a liberal arts setting has been one of the most important aspects of my personal development. I have always loved community, and it was the idea of bringing people together that began my journey into event management. While I love finding new ways to connect people in events, I have realized some of the greatest connections can begin in the classroom. It is because of everyone lifting me up throughout my education that I have grown from a timid girl in the back of the classroom into the strong leader that I am today. It was by no means an easy journey, but the professors and peers alongside me helped to make this transformation possible. 

My liberal arts education also taught me how to treasure diversity in thought. College was the first place where students were encouraged to engage with and challenge the professor in a truly meaningful way. High Point University does an amazing job of creating intimate and safe classroom environments where this is possible. I no longer felt bound by a “right” answer, and I became open-minded to the ideas and thoughts of everyone around me. In addition, I have learned to work alongside very diverse groups of people. Diversity is something I have valued ever since I realized that society does not thrive unless everyone is thriving. Leaving a small town to attend a diverse school allowed me to put my inclusion skills into practice. 

As a liberal arts graduate, I now know how to work toward the common good in my own small way, by putting any self-interest aside. At the beginning of my education, I struggled with this idea. I was only a young woman with very little power, yet I soon came to an important realization: Powerful people can most easily contribute to the common good, but it should not only be those with power working toward the common good. I know personally I feel most fulfilled when I am helping others. I hope to become an agent of change by lifting up those around me whether it is at work or in my personal life.

I was also raised to value integrity and honesty, and this has only become more important to me throughout my education. In my career as an event planner, I will be responsible for the wellbeing of whatever community I am serving. I plan to practice ethical behavior throughout my career by putting my best effort into planning safe and inclusive events that benefit attendees. Even beyond this, I hope to plan the type of events that contribute to the common good, whether that is a community festival or a tech conference. I also value diversity in skills. I may not be talented in entrepreneurship or coding, but I know that those who are skilled in these aspects help to drive this country, and our world, forward. I want to be working alongside them, striving toward a better future with my personal talents. I am aspiring toward great things in the future beyond what I have already accomplished. 

Despite all of these important reflections, perhaps the most valuable skill I learned during my liberal arts education is how to strip away the nonessential. I now have a more clear focus on my personal goals than ever before, and I can summarize my personal philosophy into this one sentence: 

To me, success is going to bed every night knowing that I put my best work into everything I did that day and had a positive outlook despite external circumstances.